Athleta credit card – Athleta is a popular brand of women’s activewear owned by Gap Inc. If you are a fan of Athleta, you might be tempted to apply for their credit card, which promises to reward you with points and discounts for shopping at Athleta and other Gap brands.
However, is the Athleta credit card really worth it? In this article, we will talk about the pros and cons of the Athleta credit card and help you decide if it is a good fit for you.
Pros of the Athleta Credit Card
The Athleta credit card has some benefits that might appeal to loyal customers of Athleta and other Gap brands. Here are some of the pros of the card:
- No annual fee: The card does not charge an annual fee, which means you can keep it without paying anything extra.
- 20% off your first purchase: When you open the card, you get a 20% discount on your first purchase at any Gap brand store, including Athleta, Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy. This can be a nice savings if you have a large purchase planned.
- 5% rewards rate: The card earns five points for every dollar spent at any Gap brand store and one point for every dollar spent elsewhere. Every 100 points equals $1 of store credit, which means you effectively get a 5% rewards rate at Gap brands and a 1% rewards rate elsewhere. This is a decent rate for a store card, especially if you shop frequently at Gap brands.
- Free shipping: The card offers free shipping on online orders of $50 or more at any Gap brand store. This can save you some money and hassle if you prefer to shop online.
Cons of the Athleta Credit Card
The Athleta credit card also has some drawbacks that might make you think twice before applying. Here are some of the cons of the card:
- Very high APR: The card has a variable APR of 29.99%, much higher than the average credit card APR. If you carry a balance on the card, you will pay many interest and fees. To avoid this, you should always pay off your balance in full every month.
- 3% foreign transaction fee: The card charges a 3% fee for every transaction made in a foreign currency. You will pay extra if you use the card abroad or online with a foreign merchant. This fee can be easily avoided by using a card that does not charge foreign transaction fees.
Additional Perks and Benefits
If you are interested in the additional perks and benefits of the Athleta credit card, here are some of the features that you can enjoy:
- Early access to sales: You can get exclusive access to select sales and promotions before they are available to the public. This can help you save money and get the best deals on your favourite Athleta products.
- Exclusive offers: You can receive special offers and invitations only available to card members. These may include discounts, coupons, free gifts, and more.
- Quarterly bonus points: You can earn extra points every quarter based on your spending. For example, if you spend $500 or more in a quarter, you can earn 500 bonus points, equivalent to $5 of store credit. However, this benefit is capped at 500 points per quarter, so it is not very significant.
Features of the Athleta Credit Card
The Athleta Credit Card is a store card that offers rewards and benefits for shopping at Athleta and other Gap brands. Some of the features of the card are:
- No annual fee.
- 20% off your first purchase with the card at any Gap brand store.
- 5 points per dollar spent at Gap brands, and 1 or 2 points per dollar spent elsewhere, depending on your card type.
- Free shipping on online orders of $50 or more at Gap brands.
- Early access to sales, exclusive offers, and quarterly bonus points.
- Fraud liability protection and paperless statements.
Conclusion: Is the Athleta Credit Card Worth It?
The Athleta credit card is a fun idea but not worth the trouble for most people. Unless you shop very frequently at Athleta and other Gap brands and always pay off your balance in full, you will not get much value from the card. The high APR, limited redemption options, foreign transaction fees, and lack of special perks make the card unattractive and risky.
You will be better off using a general-purpose card that offers cash back, flexible rewards, low fees, and useful benefits. The Athleta credit card is not a bad card, but it is not a great card either. It is a card that you can live without.
